The Plant Yourself Podcast

Dr Howie Jacobson
  • 4.8 (313)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Conversations on Transformation, Healing, and Consciousness

  1. AUG 18

    Humans Make the Best Leaders: Jennifer Nash on PYP 627

    Are empathy and humanity compatible with great leadership, or do they just get in the way? That's the topic of today's conversation with executive coach Jennifer Nash about her book, "Be Human, Lead Human: How to Connect People and Performance." Jennifer's got great war stories (or more accurately, Peace Stories). Like how Alan Mulally turned things around at Ford by NOT being the smartest guy in the room. Looking for a mnifty mnemonic to guide you to become a better, more human-centric leader? The HUMANS framework has you covered. Don't miss this inspiring conversation—you'll definitely walk away with some fresh insights on creating happier, more effective workplaces. 01:00 Ballroom Dancing and Leadership 02:02 The Story Behind 'Be Human, Lead Human' 03:33 Alan Mulally's Transformative Leadership at Ford 09:36 The Importance of Human-Centric Leadership 21:56 Jennifer's Journey: From Ford to Deloitte 23:40 Implementing Human-Centric Strategies in Organizations 29:55 The Motivation Behind Transformation 30:15 The Power of Semantics in Change 30:44 Understanding Human Behavior and Motivation 31:22 Organizational Change Strategies 32:55 Ford's Inclusive Leadership Approach 35:03 Introducing the HUMAN Framework 35:51 Breaking Down the HUMAN Framework 38:19 The Importance of Relationships in Leadership 40:03 Self-Assessment and Feedback in Leadership 43:04 Addressing Neurodivergence in Leadership 48:18 Coaching Through Self-Awareness and Emotional Reactions 52:53 The Future of Leadership with AI

    59 min

  2. JUN 11

    Visual Leadership and Storytelling for a Volatile World: Todd Cherches on PYP 626

    Remember Donna the Deer Lady, and her call to a radio talk show that electrified the nation? To refresh your memory, she was wondering why the highway department place the "Deer Crossing" signs at the busiest sections, where the deer were most likely to get hit by a moving vehicle. “Why are we encouraging deer to cross at the interstate? I don’t get it. That’s a high- traffic area,” she said. That’s exactly the kind of oddball story that grabbed me from minute one with Todd Cherches — a man equipped to wring out profound and useful truths from tales like that one. Todd is not your typical leadership guru—he earned his stripes in Hollywood, teaching actors how to deliver scenes, and later as a project manager sketching theme parks in China. These days, he coaches executives and trains leaders using what he calls visual leadership—a way to help people "see" what you’re talking about, not just hear it. In this episode, Todd unpacks how metaphors sneak into everyday chat (“Feed me, Seymour!” anyone?), why a CEO fetching potato chips for the staff says more about leadership than a big speech, and how to stay real and connected when half your team is working in slippers on Zoom. Show Highlights How a radio caller’s confusion about a deer crossing sign turned into a killer leadership metaphorWhy metaphors are baked into 50–70% of our language—and how to notice when you’re spooning them outTodd’s Hollywood adventures—including delivering lunches for Aaron Spelling and battling Mt. Hollywood traffic for extra chicken saladThe three lenses of leadership: microscope, telescope, and kaleidoscope – and why you’ll need ’em all in today’s hybrid, VUCA worldDigital leadership in 2025: making hybrid teams feel seen when you can’t just pop by their desksAI’s place in education and leadership—and how to stay mentally fit in spite of its pullThe four G’s of leadership everybody can start practicing today: Genuine, Generous, Gracious, and GratefulHow a single thank-you note from a student or client can become your secret stash of joyAbout Todd Cherches Todd is the CEO and co-founder of BigBlueGumball, a management and leadership consulting firm. He’s the author of Visual Leadership: Leveraging the Power of Visual Thinking in Leadership and in Life, and a globally recognized speaker and executive coach. A two-time TEDx speaker, Todd teaches at NYU and Columbia University and brings a unique blend of pop culture, practical tools, and visual metaphors to leadership and communication. Connect with Todd on LinkedIn Learn more at toddcherches.com and watch his TEDx talk on visual thinking Get VisuaLeadership at Bookshop.org

    1h 9m

  3. JUN 4

    The STRONG Formula for Thriving Through Change: Anna Glynn on PYP 625

    Five short years from now, 2030 will be here—and the world of work (and life) is shapeshifting at warp speed. We're all going to have to do some serious surfing to stay afloat, let alone to participate in creating the world we want. Executive coach Anna Glynn helps sales leaders, which isn't me and probably isn't you either. But what she teaches them can help us all stay effective, engaged, and sane in the rough seas ahead. In this conversation we unpack her STRONG framework—six evidence-based levers anyone can pull to build performance, wellbeing, and joy. What We Talk AboutS – Strengths: spotting and flexing what you’re already good at to create robustnessT – Trust (and psychological safety): the foundation for experimentation, feedback, and growthR – Resilience: bouncing forward (not just back) when the unexpected hitsO – Optimism: the power of realistic optimism to fuel action, not complacencyN – Networks: cultivating diverse, generous relationships that expand perspective and opportunityli data-kx-storage="{"fontSize":18,"lineHeight":25.56}"

    1h 3m

  4. MAY 13

    Revolution from Within: Beth Green on Ego, Activism, and Spiritual Awakening: PYP 624

    Beth Green has lived many lives: activist, Marxist, spiritual channeler, intuitive counselor, and founder of the Healing Arts Network. In this moving and provocative conversation, she shares stories from her remarkable life—beginning with her expulsion from Smith College for protesting nuclear weapons at age 16—and the wisdom she’s gained through decades of navigating political and spiritual contradictions. We explore how ego shows up in both activism and spirituality, and how Beth integrates the two by grounding them in a simple yet radical truth: our job is to care for people and the Earth. She challenges the commodification of human creativity, the spiritual bypassing of systemic injustice, and the failure of both capitalism and traditional leftist movements to recognize the deeper roots of human suffering. This episode also features a powerful (and private) counseling session where Beth guides me through deep personal insight—so powerful that most of it didn't make it into the final cut. What remains, though, is the transformation that session catalyzed, and a conversation that just might do the same for you. Links and Resources: Beth’s counseling and spiritual work: bethgreen.orgFree books, music, and teachings: healingartsnetwork.orgBeth’s nonprofit and activist platform: thestream.infoThe New Declaration of Independence: thestream.info/next-steps  Topics We Cover: The cost of courage in a conformist worldThe problem with both capitalism and spiritual escapismHow ego hijacks politics and spirituality alikeWhat it means to live “at the intersection of the human and divine”A radically compassionate vision for collective thriving

    1h 11m

  5. MAY 7

    Navigating Chaos with Compassion: Zach Stone on PYP 623

    Zach Stone’s life arc runs from teenage “knucklehead” to crisis negotiator, trauma-informed facilitator, and head-of-product for thirty health-ed dev teams. In this rich, funny, and occasionally hair-raising conversation we drill down into the how of navigating chaos — on a subway platform, in a corporate boardroom, and inside your own nervous system. Trigger warning: there's a conversation about suicide at about 15 minutes into the episode. Skip to minute 17 if you want to avoid this section. Here's a tasting menu of our conversation: Gang manuals & purple binders – How a Quaker-adjacent conflict resolution course turned a 15-year-old troublemaker into a group dynamics geek. From union hall to board hall – Lessons learned refereeing SEPTA labor fights and why the same “rubber-and-glue” listening works on Zoom stand-ups. OARS in rough water – Using Motivational Interviewing (Open questions, Affirmations, Reflections, Summaries) to defuse rage, whether from a bus driver or the voice in your own head. Simulated danger, real breakthroughs – How well-designed role-plays can heal trauma if you hold the container (and what happens when a participant suddenly starts to undress). Signs you’re in a chaotic system – Chronic absenteeism, cortisol tummy, “my work doesn’t matter” syndrome, and 70% burnout in tech. Habit > culture – A shout-out to Paul Gibbons, Prochaska & DiClemente, and the myth of top-down culture change. Martial arts as somatic therapy – TaeKwonDo to Muay Thai to boxing; what Zach saw when veterans laid down their canes and kids in shelters stopped fighting. Virtual heartbreak – Coaching a Kharkiv dev team while missiles shook their bomb shelter. Chaos surfing 101 – Why you don’t control chaos, you ride it; plus simple team-level practices to build collective resilience. TakeawaysName the elephant first. Start every workshop by voicing the resistance in the room; it evaporates faster than you’d think. Watch for survival mode. Tight shoulders, skipped meals, rolling eyes? Slow down before you roll out another initiative. Move the meat-sack. Five minutes of mindful movement (shadow-boxing, Tai-Chi, hallway laps) resets the neuro-chemistry better than another latte. Change habits, not slogans. Draft tiny incentives that make the preferred behavior the easy behavior; culture follows. Links & ResourcesZach on LinkedIn – the easiest place to connect and geek out about behavioral science. Red Kite Project – trauma-informed organizational change (Charlotte DiBartolomeo). AFSC Help Increase the Peace curriculum BooksPeter Levine – Waking the Tiger Bessel van der Kolk – The Body Keeps the Score Paul Gibbons – a...

    1 hr

  6. APR 16

    The Perks of Being a Dumb-Ass: Garry Ridge on PYP 622

    Garry Ridge is the former CEO of WD-40 and the co-author of Any Dumb-Ass Can Do It, a book about building high-performance cultures through servant leadership, emotional safety, and consistent values. In this conversation, Garry shares not just what he learned during his 25+ years at WD-40, but how he lived it—and how other leaders can too. We talked about what it means to lead with a heart of gold and a backbone of steel, how culture can't be microwaved (spoiler: it's a crockpot), and why being a "dumbass" is actually a leadership superpower. Garry tells stories about turning fear into learning, eliminating the word "manager," and why clarity around values—especially in a hierarchy—gives everyone the confidence to make the right decision, no matter their title. We also explore: Why psychological safety isn't fluff, it's foundationalHow “the soul-sucking CEO” lives in all of us, and what to do about thatWhat happened when Garry went back to school as a CEOHow WD-40 went global using three simple marketing questionsWhy organizations should replace “failure” with “learning moments”The real-world power of love and belonging at workThe “Maniac Pledge” and how it eliminates finger-pointingHow even during COVID, WD-40’s engagement scores stayed sky-high This episode is a warm bath of wisdom, humor, and hope for anyone who wants to lead—at work or in life—with integrity, humility, and heart. LinksGarry Ridge's website: thelearningmoment.netTake the Dumbass Proficiency Quiz hereConnect with Garry on LinkedInJoin the School of Dumb-Assery on LinkedInGarry’s book: Any Dumb-Ass Can Do It

    1h 2m

  7. APR 1

    DEI is All About Empathy: Winitha Bonney on PYP 621

    DEI is under serious threat in a "post-Woke" world. Is it still relevant? Does it have to lead to shame? Can we promote diversity without creating zero-sum dynamics of winners and losers? Today's guest, Winitha Bonney, takes on DEI challenges with a clear and compassionate worldview grounded in empathy. Which, in her telling, is what DEI is all about. Ms Bonney helps me understand the importance of cultural context, the challenges of navigating discomfort and shame, and the ethical obligations of organizations to create a more just and inclusive world. AI Thinks These are the Key Takeaways, and Who am I to Argue? There's a lot of work to do in DEI.Cultural context is crucial in understanding DEI.DEI is often oversimplified in corporate settings.Navigating discomfort and shame is essential for progress.Corporate responsibility must align with ethical obligations.The future of DEI holds both challenges and hopes.Understanding different cultural perspectives enriches DEI efforts.Shame and guilt can hinder effective DEI work.Inclusion should focus on equitable resource distribution.The evolution of DEI is a response to societal changes. LinksWinitha.com (cool URL, no?)

    1h 2m

  8. MAR 26

    Humble Leadership is Not an Oxymoron: Stephen Baxter on PYP 620

    Stephen Baxter lives in Tasmania, which has Tasmanian devils which sadly are nothing like the one that gave me nightmares as a little kid watching Looney Tunes cartoons on Saturday mornings. He’s a leadership mentor who promotes a style of leadership very different from the stereotypical command-and-control style of celebrated CEOs and generals: a humble, relational, and community-centered style of leadership rooted in influence, story, and service. Drawing from his diverse experience—as a former pastor, mentor to political leaders, and grassroots organizer—Stephen explains the power of "leading leaders" rather than followers, and how narrative, self-awareness, and collaboration shape a more human and sustainable model of leadership. He shows us how it’s possible to lead without ego and create culture without control. These qualities can foster change in  local communities and global systems. From church pews to parliament halls, from jazz bands to ultimate Frisbee teams, this conversation unpacks how leadership shows up in ordinary places—and why that's where it matters most. What We Talked AboutThe unique leadership ecosystem of TasmaniaHow leadership is different when people come voluntarily (vs. for a paycheck)The myth of the "alpha" leader and the power of facilitationLeadership as storytelling, not statusCultivating leadership in community, not in hierarchyHow fear and unmet needs distort leadershipThe hidden leadership potential in all of usTips for stepping into leadership in your family, workplace, or community

    44 min
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4.8
out of 5
313 Ratings

About

Conversations on Transformation, Healing, and Consciousness

Information

  • Creator
    Dr Howie Jacobson
  • Years Active
    2014 - 2025
  • Episodes
    300
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2024 howieConnect, Inc.
  • Show Website
    The Plant Yourself Podcast

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